Manchester votes ‘no’ to C-charge

The Greater Manchester scheme, which would have seen drivers charged up to £5 a day, was rejected in all 10 boroughs in a referendum. More than 1,033,000 people voted, a turnout of 53.2 per cent. The plans needed a majority in favour in at least seven districts to get the go-ahead.

Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley, a long-time opponent of the scheme, said: "It is a pity we have had to waste three years on this ill-thought-out scheme which the public have seen through."